Estyn is introducing new inspection arrangements for schools and PRUs and is piloting the new arrangements during the academic year 2021/22.

The intention is that feedback from the pilots will inform the final inspection arrangements which are planned to be implemented from September 2022.

The main features of the new inspection arrangements

Summative inspection grades will be removed to allow more focus on strengths and areas for improvement. However, the categories of special measures and significant improvement will be retained.

The notification period that the school or PRU is to be inspected will be reduced from 15 days to ten days.

The inspection framework addresses five areas:

• Learning;

• Wellbeing and attitudes to learning;

• Teaching and learning experiences (breadth, balance and appropriateness of the curriculum and teaching and assessment);

• Care support and guidance (personal development, and safeguarding);

• Leadership and management (quality and effectiveness of leadership and management; self-evaluation processes and improvement planning; and professional learning).

Further information about the proposed inspection arrangements, including the handbooks for inspectors on what to inspect and how to inspect can be found on Estyn’s website.

If you have any concerns about the way in which an inspection has been undertaken or about the way in which the requirements of inspection are being interpreted in your school, it is important to seek advice and guidance from the NASUWT.